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Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that inflammation is an important risk factor in cardiovascular
disease (CVD). Elevated levels of the inflammatory marker high-sensitivity C-reactive
protein (hs-CRP) are associated with increased risk for CVD and diabetes mellitus.
Adding hs-CRP to the definition of the metabolic syndrome has been shown to improve
the prediction of CVD. Elevated hs-CRP levels may also be predictive of development
of the metabolic syndrome. Current definitions of the metabolic syndrome differ, and
cardiovascular risk appears to differ according to which component risk factors are
present. Further studies are required to identify a widely accepted criterion for
the syndrome that will optimally predict the risk of diabetes and CVD. It is possible
that such a definition will include a measure of inflammation.